AKC Agility Judges Guidelines

manner, or achieve the proper judging position on the course to make the
correct calls.
When selecting your judging attire, understand that the judge is in the ring to
evaluate the team performance, not to be the center of attention; however, the
exhibitors should be able to recognize that you are the judge by more than just
your name tag.
Smoking, Eating, and Drinking: Smoking is permissible only between
classes, provided it does not delay judging. Judges, exhibitors, and ring
crew may not smoke in the ring. Judges must comply with all no-smoking
regulations of a facility or show grounds. Judges and ring crew may not eat or
drink in the course area (except that water is allowed in the ring.) Bottled water
can be conveniently hidden under a nearby cone, or tucked under the A-frame
to be available to the judge between jump heights or during bar setting. If a
drink other than water is necessary, it should be attended to between classes or
at jump height changes away from the course area.
Special Awards: The club may offer high-in-trial or other special awards. It is
up to the club or show committee to determine the basis for these awards. Judges
shall not become involved with determining the criteria for any special awards,
including high-in-trial awards. High-in-trial awards are discouraged due to the
difficulty in providing a completely fair evaluation between the jump heights and
class levels. Some clubs will still choose to have a high-in-trial award and will
list it in their premium. Determination of the method used for awarding high-intrial
should be left to the show committee, and this method should be known and
understood by the show committee and the score table prior to the start of the
trial. At no time shall a judge hold a runoff for this award.
Section 3. Procedures
Change of Address: Judges are responsible for promptly notifying the AKC
office, AKC Director of Agility, and the AKC Field Representative who
is responsible for review of their course designs, of any change in address,
telephone and facsimile numbers, and e-mail address. The change will be
reflected in the next AKC Judges Directory.
Fitness to Judge: Judges are expected to be physically and mentally capable of
performing the functions necessary to properly evaluate the dogs and handlers
as they move quickly around the course.
This means that judges must have:
• The flexibility to measure dogs;
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